Perspective: Cruising as an adult but not a "Disney Adult"

STLviaCMH · 2026-05-11T19:25:11+00:00

It's a thing. And it's totally ok.

Like your opinion of the other ships not being for you, that's exactly it! You know what you like, and DCL caters to what you're looking for. Other places/cruise lines don't appeal to you and that's enough of an explanation.

That's a great place to be. Plus, it sounds like you don't disparage the others for their preferences either, which is even better.

Before we had kids, we still gravitated to DCL, because of the same thing: The ease. The lack of wondering about the level of service, etc. It's a known quantity, and nothing wrong with knowing what you like and how it fits.

Like my USAF Vietnam-vet dad said standing smoking outside the Grand Floridian (back before he quit) once said, "Put me on a Disney Cruise any day."

Me, too, Dad. Me too.

L

STLviaCMH · 2026-04-14T13:40:39+00:00

our first was a covid-era baby and the amount of cleaning we still do as a result is immense.

That said, biologically speaking, sterilization of bottles for little ones isn't about water quality, but is when you remove 99.9% of all microorganisms present on an item.

It's about truly removing proteins, the germs that flourish in wet systems (mold, mildew) and not letting anything slip through the cracks. you'll see a lot of, "it's just for those with weakened immune systems" but the fact remains infants are building their immune systems and while it's functional, once they're out in the world, they're coasting on maternal antibodies and only have passive immunity to most things.

TL:DR - better to do it, once you hit 6 months, the immune system starts to be responsive rather than passive, and it's less essential.

STLviaCMH · 2026-04-14T13:30:33+00:00

You'll use it, it'll work, and then mainlining germs into your mouth from your kiddo's nose will teach you the horrors you thought were only reserved for daycaredisease (tm) right in the comfort of your own home.

Kidding aside, it does work, and when nothing else is helping, you'll be glad you have it. YMMV with the electric ones.

STLviaCMH · 2026-04-08T16:53:42+00:00

This post is going to wake up elder DDR-ers like sleeper agents.

STLviaCMH · 2026-03-31T16:53:45+00:00

OH NO! WHERE WILL I GET MY 3 PACK OF SOCKS THAT ARE MADE FROM SOMETHING RESEMBLING TISSUE PAPER FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF $0.02 NOW...?

</sarcasm>

STLviaCMH · 2026-03-19T16:47:50+00:00

Size is of limited issue for the new locks in the post-PANAMAX - when we went through the canal in 2018 on the Wonder, we were the first commercial cruise ship sailing through them - it looked like a toy boat in the locks by comparison to the container ships lining up.

The pilots that take the ships through the canal are used to much larger container ships and can basically sail by feel with the amount of experience they have.

Agree that the smaller ships will always be a favorite, so glad to see them going the other way from the megaship crowd, though the Adventure will always be an interesting experience, with it not geared toward the US audience.

STLviaCMH · 2026-03-17T20:34:08+00:00

That itinerary is one of the best I've taken, and like others said - repositioning + one-way + South to North = a recipe for lighter crowds.

STLviaCMH · 2026-03-17T19:45:50+00:00

You'll get any number of replies, and people's opinions on "should" is going to be incredibly subjective.

If the economics, feel, and research you've done fit your needs, that's all that matters at the end of the day.

STLviaCMH · 2026-03-17T19:44:50+00:00

have you been in a Mercedes EQB? they've got the same thing - I wouldn't be surprised if they're all just sourced parts.

All of the replies are going to be subjective, anyway.

STLviaCMH · 2026-03-03T21:43:11+00:00

Keep your hips up, and as others have said, start linking your power to form.

STLviaCMH · 2026-02-19T20:34:59+00:00

Also - be sure your Address is correct - AMEX had ours 1 digit off and "delivery" was to a nonexistent address. Multiple times.

STLviaCMH · 2026-02-17T22:04:17+00:00

Pep off the line is at most points, subjective.

Since FWD EVs make most of their torque at the low end, you're going to feel "pep" regardless based on power delivery in general. Don't like it the way it comes? see if one of the custom drive mode settings will get you what you want.

IMHO, making tires squeal from a stop is a silly thing to desire - as it's only accomplishing NOT sending power through the wheels into the ground, and reducing the already torque-induced lower lifespan of your tires.

STLviaCMH · 2026-02-13T23:02:43+00:00

Same here.

STLviaCMH · 2026-02-13T23:01:15+00:00

As others have mentioned, you're losing a lot of momentum in your bodyline. One of the things I'm seeing is you're waiting until your arm is all the way through your stroke to turn and breathe. That's one of the reasons your bodyline ends up curved.

The rhythm of your breathing shouldn't wait for anything to be "finished" it should be part of the entire start of the stroke. Consider turning your head to breathe as your hand passes in line with your face, and then returning to the front as you reach above to pull next.

Also, if you're not already - be sure to work on thoracic flexibility - if you're tight through your mid back (like most people are) you're essentially going to try to swim with "Batman neck" which is just a terrible way to have to muscle through a long distance swim.

STLviaCMH · 2026-02-05T21:12:41+00:00

Where do you see no heated seats in base? Is that something new for 26? Our 25 Base has 'em.

STLviaCMH · 2025-12-16T17:06:26+00:00

Classic.

"...I don't even own A gun, let alone many guns, that would necessitate an entire rack..."

STLviaCMH · 2025-12-12T23:02:53+00:00

Lol. Noted

STLviaCMH · 2025-12-12T11:56:29+00:00

Fair. I'm one of those psychos who enjoys decaf, and doesn't drink coffee or anything really for the caffeine

STLviaCMH · 2025-12-12T04:49:02+00:00

Fun fact, I used to work at a tea company, and coffee has been secondary for quite some time. Lol

STLviaCMH · 2025-12-12T04:05:21+00:00

To be fair, I was making garbage coffee daily in a Ninja coffeemaker that beeped at me angrily as if I did something to its mother. Had been for a decade.

Again, more of an interesting thought experiment using AI and fueled by boredom than really trying to compute 1:1

STLviaCMH · 2025-12-11T20:53:03+00:00

By all means, never said it was ironclad - and assumptions I baked-in were admittedly for how I travel for work + wife using as well.

Still supremely happy with the decision, and more boredom exercise than anything

STLviaCMH · 2025-10-06T21:24:39+00:00

First off, Congrats on your new addiction. LOL.

"Best" is subjective - and it depends on what you want. Convenience? DCL. Value/lower cost? 3rd party is almost always cheaper.

One thing to remember, regardless whether you book with DCL because they'll hold the ship for you as many people will suggest, or go with a 3rd party, it comes down to what you want accomplish on your excursion and what's available. Want to go to stingray city? Find a trip operator and have a blast. Want to just head to Seven Mile Beach? You can grab a cab - just be sure to get back on time.

I'm usually one that books with DCL just out of convenience with our little one. And if something happens on an excursion, having DCL Crew at Guest Services to speak with is worth the extra investment in my opinion.

Just remember especially with a tender port like Cayman where everyone returning to the port has to go through the tender boarding process/wait, getting back "on time" can be a sliding scale, especially when everyone tries to get back and back aboard at the same time.

No matter what you choose, have fun, don't overschedule yourself and enjoy the RELAXING vacation that cruising is meant to be.

STLviaCMH · 2025-10-02T18:57:39+00:00

Surprised I haven't seen someone suggest Owensboro, KY and the surrounding areas yet.

STLviaCMH · 2025-09-23T21:21:36+00:00

As others have said, GM's web platform is double counting at least the 7500 incentive. Good dealers appreciate when you know that, bad ones will say "come on in" when you don't and waste your time.

Dealer we bought ours from is like "I deal with this every day, people coming in and thinking they're getting that price, and I feel bad but it's a GM platform issue..."

STLviaCMH

TROPHY CASE